Stepping Stones: A Monthly Devotional

by Michaela Popielski

Hi guys, I have an announcement. Due to my schedule, I will not be able to write for a little bit. Between, school, work, and church duties, its been hectic and I am really down to the wire on the article. So, with that sort-of-depressing note, I was going over ideas for this month’s devotional and figured why not write about love? I know it seems typical writing about love since it’s February. But it seemed to fit, with a little take. What does God think about love? Obviously God is love. We’ve pretty much all been taught that, but isn’t there more? We all say things like, “I love music.” Or  “I love writing.” But what is love truly? This seems to be a question a little kid can ask, but it’s a good question.  I found some Valentine’s Day history that might seem interesting. I won’t put all of it on here due to length, but here are some excerpts.

“The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.”

Interesting, right? When we think of Valentine’s day, we can think of the above, love notes, hearts, candy, all that fun stuff. Obviously candy and hearts weren’t mentioned above, but they do tie in. But what about the question above? What is love? A definition is, “Love: An intense feeling of deep affection. To feel a deep romantic or [physical] attachment to someone.” Obviously love can be analyzed til it’s worn out. There can be many takes and views on love. And there are. But God’s love is different altogether. We know that, but how does he show his love? I have found some verses about God’s love and physical love that we as human beings, well, love. Some of the verses are from Song of Solomon and it can get descriptive about physical love. Just a warning. I hope you guys enjoy this devotional and hopefully I can get time to write eventually again.

~Michaela

Feb. 1. Prov. 10:12, Prov.30:18-19

Feb.2. Ps. 145

Feb.3. Song of Sol. 1: 1-17

Feb.4. Isa. 40:1-11

Feb.5. Isa. 40: 12-20

Feb.6. Isa. 40: 21-31

Feb.7. Matthew 22:37-39, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, John 15:13

Feb.8. 1 John 3:16, 1 John 3:18, 1 John 4:8

Feb.9. Gen. 29:15-30

Feb.10. Song of Sol. 2:1-17

Feb.11. Lk. 6:7-36

Feb.12. Acts. 4:32-37

Feb.13. Rom. 8:31-39

Feb.14. Song of Sol. 3:1-11

Feb.15. Isa. 42:1-15

Feb.16. Isa. 42:16-29

Feb.17. Ps. 43

Feb.18. Ez. 17:1-24

Feb.19. Song of Sol. 4:1-16

Feb.20. Song of Sol. 5:1-16

Feb.21. Mk. 15:1-15

Feb.22. Mk. 15: 16-31

Feb.23. Lk. 28:21-39

Feb.24. Isa. 43:1-14

Feb.25. Isa. 43:15-28

Feb.26. Song of Sol. 6:1-13

Feb.27. Song of Sol. 7:1-13

Feb.28. Song of Sol. 8:1-14